forward observer
Member
I've posted this on another board but thought you folks might enjoy it seeing too.
It's the latest acquisition for my small but select collection of ACW small arms. I started off with an M1863 Springfield, then got a Burnside 5th model cavalry carbine--and now to finally represent the South--a Pattern 1853 Enfield manufactured by the London firm of Pritchett & Son.
The son Robert Pritchett and gun designer Robert Medford co-invented what is known as the Pritchett bullet and cartridge--which became the standard load for the Enfields for most of their service. Pritchett was reported to only have shipped rifles to the Confederacy—however, never in the numbers of the other London makers and especially not the Birmingham builders who supplied the most. Prichett ended up dissolving his business during the ACW not long after his other major customer--the East India Company was dissolved. Consequently, examples of his P1853s tend to be rare. Being only in his mid-30s by that time he embarked on a career as an artist specializing in watercolors. Queen Victoria became one of his patrons and he became quite successful. He passed away in 1907.
Here's a shot of the musket along with a nice original bayonet plus an original scabbard and frog in pristine condition. Also shown is a private's gun tool that incorporates a screwdriver blade, a worm, a bottom socket nipple wrench, and an oil reservoir at the top end with a threaded stopper.
Close-up of the lockplate
London proofs on the barrel
various stamps on the bottom of the barrel including a 25 gauge stamp (.577 cal) and assembly hash marks. The North also purchased Enfields but generally the barrel would have been stamped 24 gauge which was for .58 cal. That's one clue where an Enfield was used or which side purchased it. I have read that it was estimated that over 900,000 Enfield were shipped to the US with over 2/3rds going to the South running the blockade. The North stopped importing them by 1863 as their own domestic production began to meet their needs. Of course, the South was always struggling for arms of all kinds. However less and less material got through the blockade as the war dragged on.
Along with a barely legible Pritchett stamp is one that reads J. R. Cooper. As near as I can tell Joseph Rock Cooper (active 1838-1863) was a prolific firearms inventor who worked in the London gun trade. I'm guessing he had a hand in making or at least inspecting (viewing is the British term) the barrel so it had to be made prior to 1863 when he was active in the business. This barrel has a bright and shiny polished bore with good lands and grooves.
Lastly, a glamor shot with a few replica accessories including an Enfield cartridge box with an English cap pouch mounted on its sling and an English-style Snake hook belt. All popular imports to the Confederacy if they could get through the blockade. Since this musket just whistles Dixie, I took the shot of it laid out on the 2nd (11 star) Confederate National flag.
The English gun trade with both the North and the South during the ACW is very complex and confusing so any comments or corrections are welcome.
Cheers
It's the latest acquisition for my small but select collection of ACW small arms. I started off with an M1863 Springfield, then got a Burnside 5th model cavalry carbine--and now to finally represent the South--a Pattern 1853 Enfield manufactured by the London firm of Pritchett & Son.
The son Robert Pritchett and gun designer Robert Medford co-invented what is known as the Pritchett bullet and cartridge--which became the standard load for the Enfields for most of their service. Pritchett was reported to only have shipped rifles to the Confederacy—however, never in the numbers of the other London makers and especially not the Birmingham builders who supplied the most. Prichett ended up dissolving his business during the ACW not long after his other major customer--the East India Company was dissolved. Consequently, examples of his P1853s tend to be rare. Being only in his mid-30s by that time he embarked on a career as an artist specializing in watercolors. Queen Victoria became one of his patrons and he became quite successful. He passed away in 1907.
Here's a shot of the musket along with a nice original bayonet plus an original scabbard and frog in pristine condition. Also shown is a private's gun tool that incorporates a screwdriver blade, a worm, a bottom socket nipple wrench, and an oil reservoir at the top end with a threaded stopper.
Close-up of the lockplate
London proofs on the barrel
various stamps on the bottom of the barrel including a 25 gauge stamp (.577 cal) and assembly hash marks. The North also purchased Enfields but generally the barrel would have been stamped 24 gauge which was for .58 cal. That's one clue where an Enfield was used or which side purchased it. I have read that it was estimated that over 900,000 Enfield were shipped to the US with over 2/3rds going to the South running the blockade. The North stopped importing them by 1863 as their own domestic production began to meet their needs. Of course, the South was always struggling for arms of all kinds. However less and less material got through the blockade as the war dragged on.
Along with a barely legible Pritchett stamp is one that reads J. R. Cooper. As near as I can tell Joseph Rock Cooper (active 1838-1863) was a prolific firearms inventor who worked in the London gun trade. I'm guessing he had a hand in making or at least inspecting (viewing is the British term) the barrel so it had to be made prior to 1863 when he was active in the business. This barrel has a bright and shiny polished bore with good lands and grooves.
Lastly, a glamor shot with a few replica accessories including an Enfield cartridge box with an English cap pouch mounted on its sling and an English-style Snake hook belt. All popular imports to the Confederacy if they could get through the blockade. Since this musket just whistles Dixie, I took the shot of it laid out on the 2nd (11 star) Confederate National flag.
The English gun trade with both the North and the South during the ACW is very complex and confusing so any comments or corrections are welcome.
Cheers
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